How does a pressure relief valve function within a system?

A pressure relief valve is a crucial safety device designed to protect a system from excessive pressure. It operates by opening at a predetermined pressure level, allowing fluid to escape from the system to prevent pressure from exceeding safe limits. This release of excess pressure helps to avoid potential system failures, such as ruptures or explosions, which could occur if the pressure were allowed to rise unchecked.

Choosing to have the valve open under high pressure means that it acts as a fail-safe mechanism, actively responding to conditions within the system rather than merely monitoring them. By releasing fluid, the valve protects equipment and maintains operational integrity, making its role essential in many industrial and mechanical applications where pressure control is paramount.